The Norman High boys basketball team captured the state championship with a thrilling 54–52 victory over Mustang, sealing the title on a last-second shot in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
This marks the program’s first state championship since 1999, making the win even more special for the Tigers, their coaches, and the Norman community.
Congratulations to the players, coaches, and everyone who supported this unforgettable run. What a finish. What a season. What a championship.
Storypalooza is designed to make stories come alive for children and families through hands-on activities, guest readers, authors, illustrators, and interactive experiences that encourage a lifelong love of reading. The event will take place Saturday, March 28 at the NPS Center for Arts & Learning and will feature come-and-go activities for readers of all ages, including sessions for parents and Spanish-language programming.
The event is free and open to the public, and families are invited to come explore, imagine, and celebrate the joy of reading together.
The Timberwolves' head coach reached the milestone Thursday with a 9-3 victory over Southmoore, making the moment a special one for Coach Aylor and the program.
Thank you, Coach Aylor, for your leadership, dedication, and the impact you continue to make on Norman North Baseball and our student-athletes.
Students donated to place temporary tattoos on teachers during Parent-Teacher Conferences, and staff members were great sports while helping push the fundraiser closer to its record-breaking total. What started as a creative idea quickly became one of the most talked-about events of the quarter.
Thanks to the generosity of students, staff, and families, this year’s fundraiser is on track to be the most successful yet, all while supporting animals in our community.
This work builds on the strong partnership our district has with Boeing through the Oklahoma Aviation Academy and other career-connected learning opportunities designed to prepare students for the future workforce. We are proud to collaborate with regional partners to grow Oklahoma’s aerospace pipeline and create opportunities for students right here in Norman.
We’re grateful to organizations like Boeing, Moore Norman Technology Center, and our education and industry partners for continuing to invest in the next generation of innovators.
Students and team members lined the front of the school to cheer as Amelia arrived with a police escort. After arriving, she greeted the many people who were excited to see her back in the Monroe family.
Amelia was hospitalized in September after suffering a brain hemorrhage that required emergency surgery, followed by a second surgery in November. Since then, she has shown incredible determination, working hard to relearn skills like speaking and walking.
Her return home marks an important milestone, and the Monroe Elementary community was proud to celebrate the strength, resilience, and fighting spirit she has shown throughout her recovery.
Welcome home, Amelia!
We are proud to celebrate the many awards earned and the outstanding number of works selected for exhibition.
Award Winners (selected by juror Corey Fuller):
Best Ceramics / Sculpture – Elizabeth Nichols – “The Lantern Fish”
Best Acrylic / Painting – Jordan Finlay – “Rezamos por Ella”
Best Photography – Ares Hall – “Comfortable Silence”
Best Digital Print – Olivia Shearer – “Time = Life”
OBU $500 Scholarship – Jordan Finlay
Internship Offer – Jordan Finlay
Staff Choice Awards:
Quinn Holloway – “Apex Goose”
Liz Yue – “Sunday Gardening”
Oliver Naden – “The Punisher”
Vivienne Hines – “Le Tigre in the City”
Cameron Garnand – “Into the Forest”
Olivia Shearer – “The Pickings of Decay”
Student Works Selected for Exhibition at MGMOA:
Jocelyn Emerson – “Getting Up Early”
Ares Hall – “Comfortable Silence” & “In His Shadow”
Charley Witt – “Hummingbird”
Elizabeth Nichols – “The Marionette” & “The Lantern Fish”
Cameron Garnand – “Into The Forest”
Jordan Finlay – “Rezamos por Ella”
Olivia Shearer – “The Pickings of Decay” & “Time = Life”
Quinn Holloway – “Flamboyant Kaiju”
Vivienne Hines – “Le Tigre in the City” & “Stereotype A”
Shane Gabehart – “Untitled” & “Davey”
Kayla Mihalek – “Seizure Signals”
Liz Yue – “Sunday Gardening” & “Tweeeezing”
Saryn Fashimaur – “Lady Love” & “Where The Light Waits”
Stephen Teague – “Teague Two” & “Teague Three”
Oliver Naden – “The Punisher” & “Odin”
Kamilla Quiambao – “Beyond the Visible” & “School’s Cancelled”
Cali Beddo – “Ladybug”
We are incredibly proud of these students for representing our school at this prestigious regional exhibit!
Learn more about the show: https://www.mgmoa.org/high-school-juried-art-exhibit/
We were thrilled to welcome 120 attendees, making it our highest turnout in the past five years. It was a great afternoon connecting with talented educators and professionals who are interested in joining One Team. One Mission.
If you weren’t able to attend, don’t worry; there are still plenty of opportunities to join Norman Public Schools. We’re always looking for passionate people who want to make a difference in the lives of students.
The District Staff Development Committee is proud to announce the four finalists for the 2025–26 Norman Public Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year:
Krista Cater – Wilson Elementary School
Payton Hendrickson – Whittier Middle School
Ryan King – Norman High School
Samantha Wilkins – Monroe Elementary School
One of these outstanding educators will be named the Norman Public Schools District Rookie Teacher of the Year at the Celebration of Excellence on April 10, 2026.
Please join us in congratulating these exceptional rookie teachers who are already making a powerful impact in our classrooms!
Five state medalists. One outstanding weekend for Norman High School and Norman North High School.
Congratulations to our athletes who placed at the 6A State Wrestling Tournament hosted by the OSSAA:
🥉 Rylie Hillis – 3rd Place
🥈 Claire Lancaster – 2nd Place
🥉 Oakley Caruthers – 3rd Place
4️⃣ Daviann Morris – 4th Place
🥉 Kyler Lester – 3rd Place
As a team, Norman High’s girls finished 6th overall in the final state tournament standings.
Outstanding performances on the state stage; proud of the way our student-athletes represented Norman.
Several outstanding students from our community have been named to the 2026 Academic All-State class by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence — an incredible honor recognizing academic achievement, leadership and service.
Congratulations to:
Norman High School
• Ruoni Tang
Norman North High School
• Ryan Chen
• Lillian Dai
• Juliana Hong
• Miranda Huang
• Andrew Zhang
These students will be recognized at the Academic Awards Celebration on May 2 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
We are incredibly proud of these Tigers and Timberwolves for representing Norman Public Schools with excellence. Their hard work, leadership and dedication reflect the very best of NPS.
Join us in celebrating their achievement!
The 2nd annual Reagan Shakes winner is 5th grader Ashlyn Gasaway, claiming the title for the second year in a row!
Reagan Shakes is the character-based competition focused on helping students master the art of a great first impression. Participants are judged on body position, eye contact, handshake grip, conversational skills, and voice.
We’re proud to see our students building confidence and professionalism that will serve them well in every future opportunity.
Congratulations, Ashlyn!
These outstanding educators lead with integrity, invest in student growth, and build programs that reflect the very best of NPS athletics.
Norman North High School Wrestling – Justin Deangelis
Longfellow Middle School Track – Sasha King
Whittier Middle School Football – Greg Stroud
Their commitment to developing student-athletes, on and off the field of play, makes a lasting impact across our district. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for representing your schools and NPS with excellence!
The training focused on recognizing the signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis, responding effectively in the moment, connecting youth to appropriate supports, and addressing the stigma often associated with mental health challenges.
We are grateful for the strong partnership between NPS and our local law enforcement agencies. By investing in this training, our SROs are better equipped to help ensure students feel safe, supported, and cared for, both physically and emotionally.
Today we’re celebrating National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day with a throwback that still makes us smile!
Last Halloween, students at Madison Elementary decided to honor their favorite hero in uniform by dressing up just like him, their School Resource Officer, Rodney Brueggert! From miniature badges to even a spoon, these students proudly showed their appreciation for the officer who keeps them safe each day.
Thank you to all of our School Resource Officers for building positive relationships with students, keeping our schools safe, and making a lasting impact in our community.
50s Day at Monroe Brings Generations Together
For decades, 50s Day at Monroe has been a cherished tradition that brings our entire school community together. Each year, Monroe transforms into a vibrant celebration of the 1950s, complete with a schoolwide sock hop that fills the gym with energy, music, and joy.
With a live band playing classic 50s hits, students, staff, and families step back in time, dressed in poodle skirts, leather jackets, and slicked-back hair, to dance the day away. The excitement on the dance floor is matched only by the smiles in the crowd.
More than just a fun event, 50s Day is a reflection of Monroe’s strong sense of community. Families don’t just attend, they participate. They dance alongside students and staff, share laughter, and create lasting memories that connect generations.
It’s a little rock ’n’ roll, a lot of school spirit, and pure Monroe Magic.
Norman Public Schools is proud to recognize Ely Gonzalez of Norman High School and Eden Bales of Norman North High School, who have both been accepted into the prestigious National Youth Orchestra.
Ely and Eden are both 11th-grade students, and their selection reflects their exceptional musical talent, dedication, and hard work. Being chosen for the National Youth Orchestra is a significant national honor, placing them among the top young musicians in the country.
Congratulations to Ely and Eden on this outstanding achievement. We are incredibly proud of you!
Norman Public Schools and the Norman Philharmonic were proud to come together for a powerful Black History Month Celebration that honored the rich contributions of Black Americans to the arts, culture, and history.
The program featured an inspiring Unity Choir made up of NPS choirs, and community singers, alongside the Norman Philharmonic Orchestra, a gospel combo, the Langston University Choir, dance performances, and visual art. The collaboration brought together students, educators, artists, and community partners from across Norman for an afternoon of meaningful reflection and celebration.
A highlight of the event was a special guest performance by Oklahoma native and University of Oklahoma graduate Elvie Ellis, currently appearing in Broadway’s award-winning production of Hamilton. His performance was a memorable moment for students and audience members alike.
Thank you to all of our students, staff, partners, and community members who helped make this celebration possible and to Allied Arts and the Harris Foundation for their support. Events like this showcase the strength of our fine arts programs and the power of collaboration across our community.
Norman Public Schools Announces Teacher of the Year Finalists
Norman Public Schools is proud to announce the four finalists for the district’s Teacher of the Year honor.
The 2026 Teacher of the Year finalists are:
• Lakeview Elementary Brooke Barnett
• Eisenhower Elementary Kristen Dude
• Whittier Middle School Katelin Frantz
• Kennedy Elementary Kevin Russ
These outstanding educators were selected based on their commitment to student success, instructional excellence, leadership, and dedication to the Norman Public Schools community. Each finalist represents the very best of our profession and the meaningful impact teachers have on students every day.
Norman Public Schools congratulates all four finalists and thanks them for their continued service, passion, and commitment to excellence in education.
Today, we are proud to celebrate 24 student-athletes from Norman High School and Norman North High School who officially signed with colleges to continue their academic and athletic careers!
This milestone reflects years of dedication, discipline, and hard work, both in the classroom and in competition. We are incredibly proud of these athletes for representing their schools, their families, and Norman Public Schools at the next level.
Thank you to the coaches, teachers, teammates, and families who supported these students along the way. Your commitment makes moments like this possible.
Congratulations to our signees. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!
